Sunderland stage the final of the £6,000 Arena Racing Company Puppy Cup this evening, with eight supporting opens including two Category Three deciders.
Racing Manager Joe Frelford has kindly agreed to offer some insight into the night’s racing. Regular readers may recall Joe’s last input – for the Grand Prix Final card – when he was transformed into the Mackem Nostradamus.
Joe said: “It has to be the six, Rallying Range, for me. He trialled very well, has his box as the only wide runner in six, and just looks better than the rest.” 6-3-1
Joe said: “I would be edging to Skywalker Miggy. He trialed well enough and was unlucky in trouble last time. I know Ted thinks a bit of him and he looks decently drawn.” 3-1-2
Joe said: “How can you look past Jill’s track record holder (Witton Venus)? But it isn’t just that run, she has run well at Newcastle, Sheffield and Nottingham. She had a poor draw last time out and can lead all the way this time. I would make Minnies Mira the danger but that isn’t her best box in my opinion.” 3-2-4
Joe said: “I quite like Skywalker Isak in here. He trialed well and did a decent run last week. Although he is out in five, there are four railers on his inside and that shouldn’t inconvenience him.” 5-3-6
Joe said: “Well it’s got to be our D2 grader hasn’t it! Seriously, Definitive Force has been in great form, and is the best we have at the track. There are some good greyhounds against him, but I couldn’t oppose him.” 1-2-6
Joe said: “A cracking race this! The red (Tell Boy) trialed very well and has the draw up against the fence, which means he should get a decent run on the inside.” 1-3-5
Joe said: “Narcos The Great ran really well in the heats – he took the first two bends like he was on rails – and I think the draw has favoured him because the white would prefer to be drawn further out. 2-4-1
The ARC Puppy Trophy has launched the careers of a couple of outstanding open race hounds though things have not always gone smoothly for them. Last year’s 4-11f Arkady finished third. The 2021 cracker was an absolute cracker and was won by 7-1 shot Skywalker Stan with Brookside Richie (15-8f) the runner-up.
Third time lucky?
Joe said: “I think this Glenvale Bill is a proper, proper dog. He hasn’t just broken 27.00 every time he has been here; he has done it by a long way. Definitely a top class prospect. Links Rush looks his biggest danger” 2-1-3
First round review Semi final review
Betting: 4-7 Glenvale Bill, 3-1 Ballybough Mags, 10-1 Links Rush, Mister Joseph, 20-1 Trouble Shooter, 25-1 Coolavanny Derek
Joe said: “Curfew Flyer went very well to clock 15.78 in his trial and looks nicely drawn. Saleen Abu, Striker’s new intake, is an unknown, but he looks as though he could be the danger.” 1-4-3
